Iced green tea is a cool, invigorating drink that’s perfect for warm days. With just four simple ingredients—green tea, sugar, water, and ice—you can brew a light, refreshing glass in under 40 minutes. Below are clear, practical steps and expert tips to avoid bitterness and get consistently delicious results.
Homemade Iced Green Tea
Many people avoid brewed green tea because it can taste bitter if prepared incorrectly. I’m Jee, a certified tea sommelier, and I’ll walk you through a method that keeps bitterness at bay while producing a crisp, lightly sweet iced green tea. The keys are correct water temperature and a short steep time.
Recipe Summary
- This iced green tea is a caffeinated beverage made from four ingredients: green tea, sugar, hot water, and ice.
- The recipe yields one 16-ounce (2-cup) serving but scales easily to make a pitcher.
- Brew the tea with hot water, then cool it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving over ice.
Ingredient Notes
- Green tea: Any green tea will work. Tea bags are convenient for quick cleanup, but loose leaf green tea also makes a great iced tea if you strain it after brewing.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar dissolves easily in hot tea, but feel free to substitute your preferred sweetener.
- Water: Use good-quality, filtered water for the best flavor—both for brewing and for making ice.
- Ice: Use clean, filtered ice to keep the tea tasting fresh as it chills in the glass.
For exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions, see the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place the tea bags (or loose tea in an infuser) into a teapot. Pour 1/2 cup of hot water over the tea. Heat water to around 170°F (a gentle simmer if using stovetop water) and cover the pot.
Step 2: Steep for 3 minutes only, then remove and discard the tea bags. Stir in sugar while the tea is still warm so it dissolves completely.
Step 3: Add 1/2 cup cold water to the brewed tea to help it cool faster, then place the teapot in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Step 4: Pour the chilled tea into a glass filled with ice and enjoy.
Tea Sommelier’s Notes
Don’t oversteep the tea
Set a timer and brew green tea for no more than three minutes. Oversteeping releases more tannins and produces an astringent, bitter flavor.
Avoid boiling water
Green tea is delicate; avoid pouring boiling water over the leaves. Aim for water around 170°F or use water that has just reached a simmer. This helps preserve the tea’s natural sweetness and prevents a harsh taste.
Tea bags or loose leaf both work
Tea bags are convenient for cleanup. If using loose tea, use about 1 tablespoon of loose green tea in place of two tea bags and strain after steeping.
Make it ahead
You can prepare iced green tea in advance and keep it refrigerated for up to four days. Add ice only when you’re ready to serve to avoid diluting the flavor.
Expert Tips
- Garnish with fresh mint or a few slices of citrus for a bright finish.
- Turn the tea into a flavored iced drink by stirring in a small amount of fruit syrup (strawberry, hibiscus, or rose) for variety.
- Mix in lemonade to create a sweet-tart Arnold Palmer–style beverage.
Related
- Strawberry Iced Tea
- Raspberry Iced Tea
- Lemon Iced Tea
- Starbucks Iced Green Tea Copycat
- Pineapple Iced Tea
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Iced Green Tea — Recipe Card
By: Jee Choe, Certified Tea Sommelier
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Yield: 1 serving (16 ounces)
A simple, refreshing iced green tea made with four ingredients. Lightly sweet, crisp, and easy to scale for a pitcher.
Ingredients
- 2 green tea bags (or 1 tablespoon loose green tea)
- 1/2 cup hot water (about 170°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Put the tea bags or loose tea into a teapot. Pour 1/2 cup hot water (around 170°F) over the tea.
- Cover and steep for 3 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags (or strain the loose tea). Do not steep longer to avoid bitterness.
- Stir in the sugar until it dissolves, then add 1/2 cup cold water. Place the teapot in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to cool.
- Pour the chilled tea over a glass filled with ice and serve.
Notes
- Do not exceed a 3-minute steep time for green tea; longer steeping increases bitterness.
- Use tea bags for convenience or loose leaf for more nuanced flavor. If using loose leaf, strain after brewing.
- Prepared iced green tea keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add ice when serving.
- Granulated white sugar is recommended for easy dissolving, but any sweetener may be used to taste.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 46
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fat: 0.04 g
- Sodium: 24 mg
- Potassium: 0.2 mg
- Sugar: 12 g
- Calcium: 14 mg
- Iron: 0.01 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.